New Grist Sorghum Beer - Lakefront Brewery, Inc.

pweis909

Wisconsin

3.08/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is my first gluten-free beer. Overall, I can say it was unoffensive, and slightly... well, almost,... maybe, uh...
Let's say it nearly gave a glimpse of something interesting.

A=Crystal clear and the palest liquid ever to venture into territory on the beerside of water. Although lightly carbonated, this beer didn't form a head.

S=There is a bit of cideriness to the smell, reminicent of the hint of acetaldehyde aroma found in a popular beechwood aged product. Beyond that, I get nothing.

T=Flavor is almost nonexistent, this lacked even the maltiness of the lightest lager. However, there is a bit of residual sweetness, which is not unpleasant. There is a very slight tartness that works with the sweetness and is sort of refreshing, or maybe it seems that way because it is sort of like water?

M=Perhaps I'm being generous for a beer that is at best comparable to an American light lager, but I prefer this one's mouth feel to that because it isn't highly carbonated. There is almost no acid burn with this making it more sessionable, more drinkable, if you will, than America's favorite beer.

Overall=Again, perhaps this is generous, but if I had Celiac's, I would be really grateful for this product. I hope more come along in this genre that expand upon complexity of taste and aroma.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 08:07:35 | More by pweis909

smakawhat

Maryland

2.63/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

The last time I had a gluten free beer, was when I was at Deschutes pub in Portland. I love that brewery to death, and the gluten free beer I had from them was very memorable. That is because it was the only beer I absolutely did not enjoy. SO, how does this one stack up? Poured into a nonic pint glass.

Holy cow on appearance. This is official, this is the LIGHTEST colored beer I have ever witnessed. Out of the bottle I thought I was pouring water with an edge of faint lemon. Body color hits with a ridiculous hay straw body, so incredibly pale and clear. Head forms shocking white, barley manages a finger, very soapy, and then falls with a pock marked puck, and faint collar. Carbonation rises excessively throughout. Regardless of what it doesn't contain this beer looks nasty.

Nose is a very noticeable green apple skin. Clean smelling, weak, wet sense coming. Hints of minor diacetyl. I am sort of stunned here if not complete scared. Strangely not off putting, but just bizarre.

Taste brings the apple front strong to the palate. Crisp action on an extremely WET body. Afterfinish leaves lots of fruit canned cocktail action. This is very interesting on the palate but it comes off as some beer hybrid. Fruity forward tremendously, VERY large on this angle. As mentioned very wet body, but not very fizzy though.

This beer comes off across as some sort of weak apple juice on the nose, but I giant watery fruit cocktail palate. I've never had anything like this EVER. It strangely grows on me. Sessionable at 5.75?? I don't think so. I would drink this over some mass produced industrial lager, but there's so much better out there. As for gluten free beer? Strike two so far, I hope others have a more interesting taste profile than this.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 23:03:53 | More by smakawhat

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.23/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Seriously pours as light in color as champagne, like J Roget champagne. Alot of bubbling high carbonation level, the head forms bright white and dwindles pretty quickly. Aroma has a sweet semi cider like tartness about it, that has a sliced red apple smell about it. Taste isn't beer like at all, maybe like sake light or something. Sweet wine like tart white grapes or sliced red apple juicy qualities, very palatable just doesn't taste like beer without the malt. This is for those poor folks with the gluten allergy who follow the celiac diet, actually I'd prefer this over Red Bridge. Mouthfeel is super light carbonation is a bit effervescent and the finish is dry and even wine like but quite enjoyable. Drinkability overall not bad easiest drinking gluten free beer I've tasted thus far with interesting flavor combinations.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 18:21:21 | More by WVbeergeek

DavoleBomb

Ohio

1.65/5  rDev -39.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Poured into a perfect pint.

3.5 A: What the fuck?!!?! Is this beer? This is lighter than most of the BMC lineup. Lightly yellow tinted clear. One finger of frothy white head. The retention is actually pretty good and a good bit of lacing is left behind.

1.5 S: Smells like straight up rice. That's about it.

1.5 T: Tastes like nothing, but is sweet at the same time. At first I kinda liked it, but after a few more sips, I discovered that it's actually pretty offensive. This tastes like ginger ale without the ginger.

2.0 M: Light body. A bit overcarbonated. Too sweet (in a strange way) to be smooth.

1.5 D: Yep, this sucks. No reason to buy this other than to tick it and/or lower your average score.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2011 04:02:15 | More by DavoleBomb

Tone

Missouri

2.98/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clear, gold color. 1/4 inch head of a white color. Slight retention and poor lacing. Smells of grain, sorghum?, hint of hop, and a hint of citrus. Not really a Fruit / Vegetable beer, just using a different grain source. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of grain, sorghum?, and a hint of hop. Overall, I'm not a fan of sorghum beers, and this has not changed my mind.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 14:07:58 | More by Tone

tdm168

North Carolina

3.18/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a pale golden yellow with some dish soap-like bubbly head that quickly fades. The nose smells of soap, yeast, and sugar. The taste is sweet and candy-like with some faint grassy, earthy hops in the finish. The mouthfeel is light bodied and moderately carbonated.

It's better than other sorghum based beers that I've had, but it's still not very good. The sorghum always makes the beer very sweet which in my opinion detracts from the overall flavor. I won't seek this one out again.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 01:37:49 | More by tdm168

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

1.25/5  rDev -54%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

Bottle: Poured a super yellow color beer with a small white foamy head with minimal retention and not much lacing. Aroma of light unrefined grainy notes. Taste is quite light with some more or less pleasant notes of unrefined grain. Body is light with medium carbonation. Not need to revisit his one unless I have to stop eating gluten.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2011 17:03:42 | More by Phyl21ca

velosuds

Oregon

2.53/5  rDev -7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from an 11.2 oz bottle into a clear pint glass. Paid $1.65 for single at Life Source Natural Foods in Salem, OR. Bottled first week of August (2011 I hope). My second gluten-free beer. I liked Estrella Damm Daura much better, and I don't much care for lagers.

A-Pours a very pale yellow with an unimpressive white head that dissipates much too quickly. Sounded like soda pop when pouring.

S-The aroma is more apple than anything else. In fact, looks and smells more like apple cider.

T-As with the aroma, taste is very much like apple cider with a light rice note.

M-Watery and too thin.

O-This is the first sorghum based gluten-free beer I have had and hope others are better.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 02:33:06 | More by velosuds

TMoney2591

Illinois

2.98/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Served in a Gale Sayers shaker pint glass.

My first gluten-free beer. And it's accompanying "Troll Hunter", no less. My kind o' night. It pours a clear light straw topped by a half-finger of off-white foam. The nose comprises grass, sweet flowers, light wheat, and a vague fruitiness, sorta like the strawberry-flavored Runts. The taste runs very similarly, but this time the fake strawberry flavor is stronger. Near the finish, it falls away completely, leaving only a watery, rice-y taste in the mouth. The body is pretty light, though it seems like its gaining weight, with a light moderate carbonation and a decidedly watery feel. Overall, a pretty weak, somewhat strange beer. It's a bit off-putting, but not altogether bad, really. I'm gonna haveta try some other gluten-free beers, but for now I'm glad I can handle the gluten...

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 05:45:53 | More by TMoney2591

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

2.75/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Motivated to try something without malted barley after reading an article on gluten-free beer in TAPS magazine. Consider myself very lucky to be able to return to a beverage containing gluten for my next bottle!

A bright golden yellow with almost no carbonation. Some large bubbles at pour, but no head and the beer appears flat after a minute of sitting. Aroma is of sweet fruit. Taste is bland and golden, typical of a macro lager, until cider element at end. Sweet fruit - I'd guess apple? - with a bitter, dry finish. An odd combination that wouldn't be my first choice. No hint of hops in aroma or taste other than the bittering kind.

Not something I'm likely to purchase again, but glad someone is providing options to celiac sufferers.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 22:17:17 | More by hopsolutely

womencantsail

California

2.53/5  rDev -7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

My second gluten free beer!

A: The beer pours very, very pale yellow with an unimpressive white head.

S: The aroma very heavy on apple. Starts off with some sour, green apple and is followed by apple cider. It's pretty watery, however, and there really is not much going on in the aroma. Maybe a light funk to it.

T: As with the aroma, a heavy emphasis on apples. Green apple and apple cider are once again present with a light rice note, too. Some hints of grass, but overall it's quite watery.

M: Light/watery in body with a medium carbonation

O: Slightly better than Redbridge, but still pretty unpleasant.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 21:33:53 | More by womencantsail

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev +37.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Another hot humid day. Got the kids kickball stuck in the tree. A half hour later and roughly 100 attempts with the football to get it out, it remains in the tree. It was time to rest the arm and enjoy a cold one on the patio. I got this one in a build your own six pack the other day.

Poured out of a 12 oz bottle into my Shiner Bock summertime drinking mug.

A) It's a cloudy yellow. There was not much head, although what was there did stick around for a bit. The appearance was not overly impressive.

S) The smell is not overpowering by any means. It smells of minute rice, and a bit of sweet citrus. There is a little white grape juice aroma. I rather liked the smell.

T) This combination really works for me. It tastes of rice, a bit of citrus, green grape skin, mild sweetness. It is well balanced IMO.

M) It is light and a little slick. It is not to carbonated, and very easy going.

O) I don't require a gluten free beer, but I'd go for this again. The label says this is a crisp and refreshing session beer. You'll get no argument from me.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 02:31:28 | More by RoamingGnome

dylanrossi

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev +28.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Transparent with a great deal of carbonation. Color is similar to that of ginger ale. Head dissipates rather quickly.

Smell: Nose is extremely sour and sweet. The perceived sourness is likely a result of the sorghum, as most other sorghum beers share this aroma. The sweetness resembles that of freshly pressed apples or cider.

Taste: Lighted toasted malts upfront. Possibly some hop character hiding in the background, lending just a hint of bitterness. Finish is sweet and tart like green apples.

Mouthfeel: Light and crisp, really cleanses the palate after each sip. Sweetness lingers a bit on the finish, but is actually quite pleasant.

Overall: When reviewing this beer I rated it relative to other gluten free beers, not to fruit/vegatable beers, as BA suggests. In terms of gluten free beers this is really the best I've found. It could definitely use more hop character and have the sweetness toned down a bit. But the main thing is that the taste is pleasant and refreshing, regardless of the fact that it does better as a cider than an ale.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 03:00:25 | More by dylanrossi

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

2.9/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

355ml bottle.

This beer pours a clear, very pale yellow, ginger ale-like colour, with one finger of thin foamy white head, which settles quickly, leaving a low coral ring of lace around the glass. It smells of sweet glutenous grain, musty grape juice, and a bit of generic sourness. The taste is more thin grain, and sweet, tart apple and grape fruitiness, which delves into cider and vinous territory as the slight booze warming takes hold. The carbonation is moderate, and a little sassy, the body light, fruity, and smoother than I was expecting. It finishes still sweet, and a wee bit cloying, but lacking any weird off-flavours save the persistent fruit notes.

While pale and light and thin and weak...etc, par for the course, I can't help but make a better assessment of this offering, when viewing is solely as a fruit beer, because that's mostly what I'm getting. The tactile issues still matter, of course, but I appreciate the lack of strange vegetal essences I've come to expect from these alterna-grain beers, so, overall, this is all right - I would recommend it to anyone with a gluten intolerance, who are cursed with wanting a beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2011 23:13:48 | More by biboergosum

Patrick999

Florida

3.18/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours really, really light into a pint glass. It might even be lighter and clearer than Bud Light. Coarse looking large bubbles, OK retention.

There is just not a lot in the nose. I get faint sweet apples.

This is interesting, I'll say that. It nearly comes across as an apple soda with light tart notes and hints of sweetness on the finish. It has none of the body you would normally associate with a beer brewed with malted barley.

Well, it's not terrible. It has more flavor nuance than light macro lagers - I'm sure that if I was intolerant of gluten, I'd get used to drinking this.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 01:33:40 | More by Patrick999

mattkoon

South Carolina

3.33/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

this beer is pretty interesting. It's made from sorghum and rice. I have to be honest, I had to google sorghum to even know what it is. Once I saw it I realized I grew up calling this stuff "sour grass" and used to chew it runnin around my parents farm- that all being said there is a sligh sour taste to this beer. It's similar to almost a sparkling white wine. It's very sweet and I'm sure the rice has to do with sweetness. It's not a bad beverage at all, it's just not very "beer-like"

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 20:47:25 | More by mattkoon

rundocrun

Iowa

2.9/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - very pale golden color with some champagne-like bubbles coming up. Honestly, looks like a bud light.

S - sweet, slightly malty-sour smell. different. Not really sure what to expect as this is my first sorghum beer.

T - sweet, cidery up front. A lingering sourness on the sides of the tongue tinged with an earthy hint to it as well. Little bitterness.

M - not much body to this beer. Well carbonated, but not overly so.

Overall, not sure if this was good enough to make me curious about other sorghum beers. Decent though.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2011 02:09:00 | More by rundocrun

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.08/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass, this beer is an extremely pale, dull, gold color. The beer is crystal-clear, with a thin, filmy head. The nose was very nondescript. Hard time gleaming much from the aroma, but it was mostly sweet, with a slight sour blend. In mouth, the high carbonation makes the flavors of the beer sharp. Fruity and flowery highlights in the flavors, also. The beer has a sweet and light finish, with a slightly sour aftertaste. Extremely easy to drink, almost like a Fresca version of a beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2011 02:10:52 | More by GarthDanielson

jsdunlop

North Carolina

3.13/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is crystal clear, golden, with a whispy white head.
Smell is candy-like, slight banana and a touch of citrus, with a faint grain aroma.
Slightly tart to start, very crisp and refreshing. Grainy sweetness, but not overpowering, bit of lemon and citrus makes its way out, followed by a medicinal clove aftertaste that lingers on the tongue for a while.
Mouthfeel is light with ample carbonation, with a dry feel to the beer.
Drinkability is fairly high, a light and refreshing beer, that medicinal aftertaste sort of gets old, but overall its a fairly decent brew. Worth a try if you're looking to check out a sorghum brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2011 02:26:03 | More by jsdunlop

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

2.1/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Looks like bmc faint yellow with clarity, no head. Aroma was artificial sweetener.

Tastes like bland cereal with water on it, not milk. Plenty of carbonation pushing the water around in here. No hops. Wouldn't argue with you if you said it wasn't beer and I tasted this blind. Sparkling ciderish. Comes off like someone is trying to get their beer below the 55 calorie line.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 18:26:34 | More by Beerandraiderfan

JerseyPaul

New Jersey

2.2/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Appearance: Clear, pale yellow that resembles a light beer; little carbonation; thin white head dissolves away very quickly, barely leaving any lacing

Smell: Light malt sweetness; slight hints of citrus & floral notes; not much going on here

Taste: Light; slight herbal/floral sweetness; metallic notes; reminds me of Mich Ultra or MGD 64

Mouthfeel: Light body; slightly watered down; slight carbonation

Drinkability: Light & crisp, but not much taste; goes down easily, but wouldn't recommend this

Overall, New Grist Sorghum is new territory for me. I've never had a gluten free beer, and I doubt that I will again. However, I can't really say anything negative about this, because for some people, this is all that they can drink. I'll count my blessings that I'm not one of them.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2011 18:17:13 | More by JerseyPaul

atlanta

Georgia

2.9/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Look, its important to remember you are rating by style. This would be a poor pale ale, but it is a very good gluten-free beer! And some of us would have the heart ripped out of our very chest if beer was verboten in our diet. So we need to have this type of beer for the poor celiacs. And this is acceptable. It is beery, not sour, interesting, bubbly, and a facimile of beer drinking that is closer than their competition. So kudos!

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2010 00:10:02 | More by atlanta

decimator

Ontario (Canada)

1.8/5  rDev -33.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

355ml bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - Poured a very clear yellow gold. Minimal head was quickly gone. No lacing.

S - Light grains, very light hops, grape/apple juice and a whiff of yeast. Not the most inviting beer.

T - Cooked rice, hints of apple/pear juice, with a mild nasty bitter and tart taste which continues into the aftertaste.

M - Heavy carbonation and a dry Champagne like finish. But Champagne this is not.

D - Got through a bottle on my first try. On my second attempt I couldn't finish it.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 21:02:02 | More by decimator

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

2/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

12 oz bottle from LCBO.

Pours a clear straw yellow, ciderish looking, very thin white head forms and settles to a very thin bubbly ring before disappearing completely, no lacing.

Smell is interesting, lots of apple juice, some graininess, definitely a sorghum/spelt sort of aroma, alcohol, not very good.

Taste is similar, basically just tastes like a cider, some pears, light grains, a touch of sugary sweetness and some booze, sharp acidic finish.

Mouthfeel is very light and thin bodied, medium carbonation. I know gluten free beers are hard to make, but this is a poor effort.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2010 02:12:35 | More by Viggo

katybee

Oregon

3.38/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This beer is definitely "different" from the run of the mill made with hops. If saki were a beer and not a wine, this would be it. Very dry flavor due to the predominant rice extract. Very, very lightly --if at all-- hopped, and very lightly malted. Slightly flowery herbal aftertaste, and slightly oaky. But the feeling to me, if not for the light carbonation, was saki.

appearance: light yellow blond; quickly dissipating limited foam head and carbonation.

smell: very little, perhaps lightly barley

taste: very dry, flowery, very much based on the rice mixture and similar to saki wine. Limited aftertaste slightly towards barley.

Mouthfeel: thin, clear, similar to PBR lightness, but with more refined rice-barley taste and less carbonation.

drinkability: quaffable. combineable with any variety of foods including more complicated meals due to the lack of strong aftertaste and clarity on the tongue. Try it with pasta or seafood.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2010 07:06:17 | More by katybee